Mowing machine



E. L. BOYD MOWING MACHINE Jan. 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1947 5 5% N5. M; m 5% E. L. BOYD MOWING MACHINE Jan. 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1947 Patented Jan. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOWING MACHINE Elvin L. Boyd, Dexter, Iowa Application February 6, 1947, Serial No. 726,856

2 Claims. (01. 56-255) This invention relates generally to mowing machines and in particular to a weed-cutting machine of a type which includes a two-wheel supported frame having a rotary cutter mounted on its front end for rotation in a horizontal plane at a position spaced below the frame.

Weed cutting machines of this type are generally satisfactory in operation for cutting weeds along fence lines, for trimming grass and weeds in orchards and along road ways. However, an objection to these machines is the wrapping of the cut material about the cutter shaft between the cutter and the lower bearing for the shaft, particularly under wet weather conditions. As a result the machine must be frequently stopped to remove the Wound cuttings to prevent injury or permanent damage to the shaft and bearings.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved mowing machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a weed cutting machine in which wrapping of the cut weeds about the cutter shaft is substantially eliminated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a weed cutting machine capable of operating efficiently under both dry and wet weather conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mowing machine which is of a compact and light weight construction, capable of operating closely adjacent to trees, cemetery monuments and the like, economical to manufacture, and adapted to operate efiiciently over a prolonged service period with a minimum of attention.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a mowing machine in which a horzontally rotatable cutter is equipped with a shield means adapted to prevent the wrapping of out material about the cutter shaft.

A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of an upright shield means for a horizontally rotatable fiat cutter, which is integrally formed with an arcuate front portion spaced forwardly in a concentric relation with the cutter shaft, and rearwardly extended side portions which terminate at positions substantially at the rear edge of the cutter. The lower edge of the shield means is in substantia1 contact engagement with the top surface of the-cutter so as to eliminate the passage of cut material between the shield and the cutter.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the mowin machine of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the construction of the cutting means and its assembly relation with the main frame of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan top view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, with the power unit removed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as seen on the line 55 in Fig. 3

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along the line 66 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the frame mounting for the power unit.

With reference to the drawings, the mowing machine of this invention is illustrated :in Figs. 1 and 3 as including a main or portable frame ID, a power unit H and a cutting unit l2. The frame ID has a pair of longitudinal frame members [3, of an angle iron construction (Figs. 3 and 4) opened inwardly toward each other and connected across their rear ends by a brace plate l4 and across their front ends by a brace plate [6. The front side ll of the brace plate I6 is converged forwardly and extends ahead. of the main frame Hi. A handle member [8 is secured at its lower end, as by welding, to the rear brace plate I4 and projects upwardly and rearwardly from the rear end of the frame H). A hand grip or bar I9 is provided at the free end of the handle I8.

The frame In is carried on a wheel and axle assembly (Figs. 3 and 4) which includes an axle member 21 of a generally U-shape having a base section 22 received within oppositely arranged recesses or notches 23, formed in the frame angle members 13. The axle 2i is secured to the frame ID by welding at the notches 23, and is suitably braced by members 25 connected between the inner ends of the shaft sections 24 and the frame members It. Each leg of the U-shape axle 2| is bent laterally outwardly at its free end to form a shaft oraxle section 24 for rotatably supporting a ground whee1 26. The ground wheels 26 are held against axial movement by the provision of fixed collar members 21 carried on the shafts 24 at positions spaced inwardly from their free ends, and by washer and cotter key assemblies 28 arranged to the outside of the wheels 26.

The power unit ll, illustrated as an engine of air-cooled type, is supported on the frame In at a position rearwardly of the axle member 2| (Figs. 1 and 7). A pair of engine supporting members 28, extended transversely across the 3 frame members !3, have longitudinally extended slots 3| therein which are inclined relative to the frame members l3 for a purpose which will appear later. The engine l l is secured to the supports 29 by the insertion of bolts 32 through the engine base 39 and the slots 3 i.

The front brace plate It, on the main frame [0, constitutes the base of a bearing unit 33 for the cutting device l2 (Figs. 2 and The hearing unit or cage 33 includes further a top plate member 34 which is carried on upright supports 36, shown in the drawings as three in number, and mounted on the base plate 16. The front side 35 of the top plate 34 has a contour which corresponds substantially to the contour of the front side ll of the base plate i6, and is in substantial vertical alignment therewith.

A cutter shaft 8'? is rotatably supported within the bearing cage 33 in an upper bearing member 38 supported on the top plate 34 and a lower bearing member 39 carried on the base plate It between the uprights 35. Mounted about the shaft 31 between the beaings 39 and the base plate It is a thnust washer 45. A collar member 42 is fixed on the upper end of the shaft 31 at a position above the upper bearing 33. Above the fixed collar 42 is a pulley 43 which is connected through a belt 44 with a drive pulley 46 on the engine M (Fig. 3).

The shaft 3? projects through the base plate 16 and is provided at its lower end with a hub or flange member i'i (Figs. 2 and 5). A flat circular body member 43, of a disc shape, is secured by cap screws 49 to the under side of the flange 41.

Thus it is seen that the disc 48 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 31 for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane at a position below the frame members is of the main frame Ill. Further, as clearly appears in Fig. 3, the disc 48 is of a diameter such that it extends laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the frame i0, and forwardly of the frame it.

A series of cutters or sickle bar segments 5!, of a substantially triangular shape, and illu trated in the drawings as being four in number, are arranged about the periphery of the disc member 48. The cutters 5! are flat and are secured along one of their sides to the under side of the disc member 4% by screws 52 (Figs. 2 and 6), so that cutting edges 53 thereof extend in a reversely inclined relation outwardly from the disc member 43.

In the operation of the machine the handle 5 8 is raised to lift the frame it into a substantially horizontal position, or to tilt the frame forwardly, depending upon the cutting conditions encountered. By virtue of the location of the engine H just rearwardly of the axle 2], the machine is counterbalanced so as to normally tilt in a rearward direction. However, this counterbalancing action is of a relatively small degree to facilitate manipulation and lifting of the machine.

relative to the slots, which maintain an aligned position of the pulleys 43 and 46 for all adjusted positions of the engine.

To eliminate the passage of cut material be- 4 tween the disc member 48 and frame l0, and to keep the cut material from wrapping about that portion of the cutter shaft 3! located between the base it and the disc member 48, there is provided an upright shield or guard member which is generally designated as 54 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The shield 54 is integrally formed with a curved front portion 55 and side portions 51 and has a lower edge 53 which lies in a common plane. The portions 5? have their top sides tapered in a downward direction away from the front portion 56, and are spaced a distance apart corresponding substantially to the width of the frame 10.

In assembly, the front section 56 is transversely arranged forwardly of the bearing cage 33 and in a concentric relation with the cutter shaft 3?, so that the side sections 5'! are extended rearwardly at positions against the outer sides of the frame it.

As shown in 3, the side portions 51 are of a length such that they terminate substantially at the rear edge 58 of the disc member 48. The shield member is secured to the frame I (l by welding the side portions 51 to the angle frame members it (Fig. 5) and is arranged relative to the cutting unit 52 such that its lower edge 59 is below the frame members E3 in substantial contact engagement with the top surface of the disc member 48.

It is seen, therefore, that the shield member 54 completely encloses the bearing cage 33, flange 47 and the front portion of the frame I0 and that its side portions extend longitudinally of the frame it to positions substantially at the rear edge 53 of the disc member 48. A substantial contact engagement of the lower edge 59 of the shield member 54 with the disc member 48 is accomplished by virtue of the mounting of the cutters iii to the bottom side of the disc member 48, so that the top surface of the disc 48 is entirely clear and free of any outstanding projections.

Assuming a rotation of the disc member 48 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, any out material. which falls on the disc member 48 is moved about the front portion 58 of the shield member 54 and against the side portion, indicated as t le, for discharge to the ground from the rear side of the disc member. This action takes place because the substantial contact engagement between the shield member 54 and disc member 48 prevents the passage of any out material within the confines of the shield member. As a result the shaft E? is positively shielded or guarded from having material wrapped about its lower end. It is apparent, of course, that this same shielding action will take place for a reversed rotation of the disc 48.

In actual practice it has been found that the cutting unit if, when rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, throws the cut material to the outside of the ground wheel, indicated as 26a in Fig. so as to form a windrow of the cut material to one side of the machine. A windrow to the outside of the wheel 25 will be formed on rotation of the cutting unit I2 in an opposite direction. The cut material, therefore, is thrown clear of the path of travel of the ground wheels.

From a consideration of the above description, it is seen that the invention provides a Weedcutting machine which is of a simple and compact construction, adapted to be maintained and moved in a transport position with a minimum of effort, efficient in operation to cut material without having such material wrap about the cutter shaft, and having all of its parts readily accessible for servicing and maintenance purposes. The screws 52 (Fig. 6) for securing the cutters 5! to the disc 48 are of a reduced diameter over those portions thereof which are threadable within the disc member 48. As a result, should the cutters 5| strike an obstruction, the screws 52 will shear off at their reduced sections so as to lessen the danger of permanent injury to the cutting unit l2.

To maintain the frame It] in a substantially horizontal position, when the machine is not being used, a pivoted support 64, provided at the rear end of the frame In, is swingable to a ground-engaging position, as illustrated in Fig. 1. When the machine is to be used the support 64 is pivoted upwardly in a forward direction to its position illustrated in dotted lines, in Fig. 1, so as to be entirely clear of the ground.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mowing machine comprising a portable frame with longitudinal members connected by means including a brace plate at the forward ends thereof, driving means mounted on the frame, driven means operatively associated with the driving means and including a cutting disc with an upright shaft carried by bearings on said driving means and including a cutting disc with an upright shaft carried by bearings on said brace plate, the cutting disc below said brace place, and an upright shield with an arcuate front portion extending forwardly of said brace plate and with side portions extending rearwardly of the upright shaft and attached to the frame members so that the lower edge of said shield is positioned below the frame members, said lower edge being substantially in contact with the cutting disc.

ELVIN L. BOYD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,165,551 Iverson a- July 11, 1939 2,253,452 Urschel Aug. 19, 1941 

